gig bag or hard case?

fender_mod · #1 08-19-2008, 07:29 PM

dunno if this has been covered, did a search. I was thinking about this, and i never take my bass to a show in my gig bag. ever since i got a hard case to take on plane trips (not for touring or shows unfortunately) i use that. i think that the whole thing is just so damn heavy no ones gonna run off with it if i take my eyes off it at a show.

so i was just curious how many of you use the "gig" bag for your gigs?

Mr. Lovejoy · #2 08-19-2008, 07:32 PM

I do.

Why bother with a hard and heavy case, when you can have a soft and light one?

It is not like we gig in warzones here

fdeck · #3 08-19-2008, 07:48 PM

My gigging tends to be under relatively tame conditions. A gig bag serves me just fine.

jweiss · #4 08-19-2008, 07:50 PM

Gig bag with backpack straps. AI Focus and Acme low B2 on a dolly along with duffle with random stuff = one trip.

John Wentzien · #5 08-19-2008, 08:00 PM

Hard case for me always.
Been in more than a few situations where my neck would have been broken for sure.
Along with neck support--it has kept it from getting wet from rain on several occasions.

tplyons · #6 08-19-2008, 08:12 PM

Depending on the gig. Theater shows, gig bag. Shows on tiny stage, case.

progrockbass · #7 08-19-2008, 08:12 PM

I use both depending. Mostly gig bags though. Just invest in quality ones. The Deluxe one from Fender is okay. I've ordered the one that holds two basses. I really like the heavy duty Warwick Rockbag lots of padding, padded neck strap nylon shell (weather) backpack straps, lots of pockets I think I paid under $75 for it...

Medford Bassman · #8 08-19-2008, 09:38 PM

I use a Body GLove gig bag. It's a hybrid, soft casewith plastic inserts for some firmness. Best padded bag I have ever seen. I really like it

Mr_Krinkle · #9 08-19-2008, 09:53 PM

My band schleps our stuff in our singers old beater-truck. Sometimes there's wood in there, sometimes rain water, very often some oil spots, so needless to say, I use a hard case.

Frederickbass · #10 08-19-2008, 09:58 PM

I got into a car accident last year, I stayed in the hospital for 5 months, got 6 legs surgeries so far, 3 more to go, the car was a wreck, I almost lost a leg in the car crash but the hardshell case saved my bass.

playibanez · #11 08-19-2008, 11:33 PM

Hard case. I toss it wherever and don't worry about it getting bashed up.

It was in the back of the car once when me and the singer were driving to a show. He stopped short and the the case flew from the back of the car hit him in the head and then hit the windsheild and got jammed in between something in the back and the windsheild of the car.

We laughed like hell and the bass was totally fine =]

hey · #12 08-19-2008, 11:35 PM

Hardcase.

I don't think I would ever trust any of my gear being completely safe if it were a gig bag.

cassanova · #13 08-19-2008, 11:39 PM

Case because you never know when that accidental fall might happen.

fender_mod · #14 08-19-2008, 11:46 PM

I can understand where both points of view were coming from. I joked that it would be easier to steal (steel?) but I like to stay on the side of caution. Almost ever gig ive done the majority of our gear has been transported in a pickup truck (hope its not just a southern thing) except my tube amp and my bass, even I dont trust myself.

IanStephenson · #15 08-20-2008, 02:45 AM

A gig bag is nice if you can just walk in with your bass, and a DI box - you can just walk in and go. However if you're moving a full backline then the tougher the case the better. My SKB hardcase has a couple of lumps out of it that would have destroyed the contents of a gigbag.

Vic Winters · #16 08-20-2008, 03:01 AM

I only have 1 hard case and the rest are gig bags. I'd like to get more hard cases eventually.

selfblessed · #17 08-20-2008, 03:15 AM

I say hard shell. You just never know what you are going to encounter out there.

Jonny B · #18 08-20-2008, 03:21 AM

No question, hard case.

I always think about the time my buddy slammed the car door before my case was clear... if that had been a gig bag, bye bye headstock.

GeneralElectric · #19 08-20-2008, 04:09 AM

I use hard cases because I'm rough with my gear, and you sure as hell can't sit on a gig bag.

However, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a back pack style gig bag that is water proof and can fit 2 P-Basses!

Deacon_Blues · #20 08-20-2008, 05:21 AM

I used to own cases, and they're good, but nowadays I don't use anything but gigbags anymore. I have two Warwick Rockbags, Deluxe versions. They don't last forever but pretty well anyway. I've thrown away one that was broken and smelled cat pee...

If I started gigging more regularly again like I did some 5-10 years ago, I'd use hardcases instead.